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[justforkix]

No wonder Warnie rates Buchanan so highly 

[keep-it-cool]

No wonder Warnie rates Buchanan so highly 

I think this is part of the normal Buchanan / Aussie strategy to "leak" plans for opposition players ... kind of like Warne's statements about a new mystery ball before each England series ... so that they start thinking about it.

[poondu]

Shaun Tait eager to team up with Brett Lee









Melbourne: Speedster Shaun Tait is preparing himself for the possibility that Australian selectors will opt for a four-pronged pace attack for the first cricket Test against India starting here on December 26.

Pain-free in his right elbow for the first time in 12 months, Tait is aware he must perform to force his way back into contention after a series of injury setbacks.

The Chappell-Hadlee one-day series against New Zealand presents his most immediate chance of an international recall but uncertainty about the fitness of leg-spinner Stuart MacGill has created speculation that selectors will consider a rare pace assault at the MCG against India.

Chief selector Andrew Hilditch has not ruled out the prospect of playing four specialist pacemen, with some part-time spin from Andrew Symonds and Michael Clarke

[pipsqueak]

indulge in some puja?   


If only we could hate India enough

Peter Lalor | November 30, 2007

CAN the Australia-India Test matches rival, as Brett Lee suggests, the Ashes?

It is a tempting thought. A titanic tussle between two dusty cricket nations has a new-world feel that might wrest the game from its musty colonial roots.

The Australia-India Ashes could have a whole other mythology and meaning, too. Every four years the series could be celebrated by both teams in a ceremony by the Ganges - the holy river where a Hindu's ashes are tipped when this life's journey is complete.

It would be a great picture opportunity, particularly if the players indulged in a little puja (ritual washing and prayer) while there. Something appropriately cultural could be arranged for the series played here. Maybe a barbecue on Sydney Harbour or the Yarra.

The ceremony could be held on January 26, when Indians celebrate the formation of their republic and we celebrate the landing of the first British governor. The only thing holding back the concept is a lack of contempt.

The series could rise to the clash-of-culture status the Ashes has occupied if only the two nations could find a shared hatred, a reptilian-like loathing.

Noted Indophile and rupee magnet Brett Lee this week floated the notion of the Border-Gavaskar contest shifting gear.

"We have always said that playing against England in the Ashes is where it's at, but I also think now playing against India is one of our greatest challenges as far as Test match cricket goes," Lee said.

Ricky Ponting said in a recent column in The Australian that Mumbai was now the centre of the cricket world and the Indians a team he loved to play against.

"Traditionally, Lord's and England have been cricket's heartbeat," he wrote. "Nothing will detract from the excitement of the Ashes and the history of Lord's, but I believe that India is as important to the world game."

For some time, India stood as the last frontier in Australian cricket. Winning there was the prize that eluded and frustrated Steve Waugh, before it was finally captured under the dual captaincy of Adam Gilchrist and Ponting in 2004.

The quest to win there has led to some magnificent cricket, including the tied Test at Madras in 1986. The two countries have met 17 times since the one-off Test in 1996, Australia winning eight, India six with three draws.

Lee, as his bowling of late proves, is a smart lad who knows which side his chapatti is buttered. The singing seamer has long flirted with the subcontinent's infatuation with cricket-celebrity. Now his team-mates are beginning to realise how much money lies there, especially with the Twenty20 bull market lining everybody's pockets.

If you thought the cricketers were busy on their recent eight-match swoop of the subcontinent - seven one-day internationals and a Twenty20 game - you should have seen their minders. The halls of hotels and businesses echoed to the sounds of sweaty Australian managers bellowing "show me the rupees" to representatives of banks, telcos, watchmakers and fashion houses.

Shane Warne was never that comfortable in India, but he realises that if he is to keep earning money in retirement, all he has to do is drop in for a Twenty20 tournament.

Which is neither here nor there when it comes to what happens in the Test series. If anything, any hopes of ratcheting up the Australia-India contest lies not in Lee being used as a pin-up boy or Warne playing celebrity challenge, but in a little healthy demonisation.

It doesn't help either that we respect their players so much. It is great sportsmanship when crowds show up to praise Sachin Tendulkar and not bury him, but is it the sort of thing that captures the imagination of the non-core cricket audience?

Dislike of the English is a given. Every Australian has a filing cabinet bulging with reasons to wander from Land's End to John o' Groats singing five-nil, five-nil, five-nil.

If ever a cricket fan gets a warm and fuzzy feeling for the old country he need only tap into the rolodex of resentment provided by: Transportation, miners' licences, World WarII, Bodyline, Geoffrey Boycott, drizzle, 2005, Kevin Pietersen, the monarchy, Ian Botham, the fraud of the 2006-07 challenge.

To that end, maybe Andrew Symonds and Sree Santh are the keys to the future of India-Australia battles.

There was a distinct edge to Australia's last visit to India and while some of it went a step too far, maybe a negative can be turned to a positive and harnessed to introduce a bit of tribalism to the relationship.

At least Symonds has broken the mould. Where India loved Allan Border, Steve Waugh, David Boon, Adam Gilchrist et al, in Symonds it has found its pantomime foe, somebody to boo and fear.

And Sree Santh is well-versed in the melodrama of heroes and villains. He is the sort of Indian paceman Australians could learn to passionately dislike in the sporting context.

Of course, the idea of the contest ascending is a little fanciful, with news that Cricket Australia is understandably keen to cash in on the spike in Ashes interest since the magnificent 2005 series and wants to schedule six Tests in future.

It will be some time before beating India will have that same sense of anticipation, schadenfreude and sheer bloody mindedness that Australians enjoy when taking on England.

Figures released recently by the MCG show that 67,000 tickets were sold for the first day of the Ashes Boxing Day Test, while only 22,000 have been sold for this year's corresponding Test.

Still, twice as many people have paid to see the Indians play at the MCG after Christmas compared to just 11,000 who booked to see South Africa two years ago.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22844801-2722,00.html

[keep-it-cool]

It will be some time before beating India will have that same sense of anticipation, schadenfreude and sheer bloody mindedness that Australians enjoy when taking on England.

All it needs is for India to beat them in Australia. That will set the rivalry up nice and proper. Now, if only we could do that soon!!

[dhruvdeepak]

http://www.theage.com.au/news/cricket/tender-touch/2007/12/08/1196813091099.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1

Tender touch


Chloe Saltau
December 9, 2007

AMONG the sweaty, hard men gathered in the Perth dressingroom, conversation turned to the fresh faced young boy just embarking on what seemed certain to be a stellar career.

For almost four hours this teenager, brought up on low, slow Indian wickets, had defied four bristling Australian pacemen on the fastest, bounciest pitch in the world with a mixture of grace and power his opponents found hard to fathom in one so young.

Merv Hughes cracked open a beer and turned to his captain, Allan Border, the tough, proud Australian who within a couple of years would become the most prolific batsman in Test cricket.

"This little prick's going to get more runs than you, AB."

Almost 16 years later, Sachin Tendulkar not only has more runs than Border, and fewer only than the princely West Indian Brian Lara, but is about to come full circle by touring Australia for the last time.

At 34, he is perhaps the summer's greatest drawcard.

If he is past his best, as has become the popular view of cricket's little master, it is worth remembering that his best was magical.

For a while his body threatened to deteriorate and he looked like a mortal; with a creaky right elbow and a slight hesitation at the crease.

But in recent months, rather than rage against the dying light of his career, Tendulkar has rediscovered his old fluency and concentration.

He has 699 runs in eight Tests in 2007 to show for it.

Though he politely declined when Indian officials tried to thrust the Test captaincy with all its trappings and traps on him again, a simple urge for making runs and winning remains.

The proof is in the current series against Pakistan - but the champion will know that in Australia he will have to prove himself again.

Hughes and wicketkeeper Ian Healy both think of Tendulkar as being even younger than his 18 years on that first trip to Australia in 1991-92.

In fact, he was already in his third year as a Test cricketer and already had his own folklore; he learnt his cricket on the Maidans of Bombay and before his 15th birthday made an undefeated 329 in a stand of 664 with 17-year-old Vinod Kambli in a schoolboy game.

Cricket journalist Mark Ray wrote in The Sunday Age of how he lingered at the nets to see India's "Boy Wonder" bat early in the Australian tour.

"As Iwatched from a few metres away ... I saw all the skill, poise and maturity I had heard about.

Balance, grace, technique, power and all the time and more to respond against sharp bowling were there."

Still, Hughes was more worried about India's established stars - Azharuddin, Srikkanth, Kapil Dev - and Healy had actually forgotten until recently about the 148 not out with which Tendulkar introduced himself in Sydney.

It was not until the fifth Test at the WACA ground, where the ball whizzed around his ears and he scored 114, that Tendulkar made a major impression.

It was the last time Australia entered a Test with four quicks and no specialist spinner.

A chubby kid called Shane Warne had made his debut in Sydney a couple of matches earlier, but was dropped for the WACA.

"The one in Perth, he made them in tough conditions and he looked as though he was at home.

That was very unusual for a player from the subcontinent," Hughes said.

Healy recalls the strange quiet that surrounded Tendulkar when he batted.

"He is such a silent mover, as a wicketkeeper I can tell you he was the lightest batsman I have ever seen on his feet. (In one Test match) he was hitting some balls off Warne out of the rough, and he would move down the pitch.

After he had hit the ball I would think, 'How did he get there?' I didn't even hear him."I was only two years into my career (in 1991-92) so I didn't really get into the hype that was surrounding him, but it did dawn on me at the end of the series that he was something special," Healy said.

"It was impossible to believe he was so young."Tendulkar's average against Australia of 53.11 is only a couple of points lower than his career average. In Australia, it is 54.16.

Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie have both claimed his wicket six times in Test cricket, but no bowler in the world has really dominated him."I have always felt with Sachin you kept things as simple as possible.

I learnt from Glenn, and it was basically the top of off, just outside off stump, being nice and patient," Gillespie said.

"We also had a nice, high bouncer so if he had to play a hook shot there was a little bit of risk to it.

Generally we were trying to get him pushing onto that front foot, without it being a half-volley."

Gillespie was among the bowlers on the wrong end of Tendulkar's unbeaten 241 at the SCG four years ago, when India came close to becoming the first touring team to defeat Australia at home since theWest Indies in 1992-93.

"They belted us. We threw everything we had at them and couldn't nail them," he said.

"I think someone in this Test series who could have a bit of success against him is Stuart Clark because he is just relentless with his line and length and he gets good bounce.

You really do have to keep it simple and be prepared to bowl a lot of overs."

Mitchell Johnson, the young left arm paceman, can spring a surprise with his fast, accurate bouncer, which would suit the theory of former coach John Buchanan, who believes Tendulkar's feet move sluggishly early in his innings nowadays and leave him vulnerable to the short ball.

Johnson also has tasted success against him in one-day cricket with a fast, full inswinger.

The Australians regard Tendulkar highly, even if some of them think Lara was a more dangerous batsman because of his extravagant stroke play.

Warne once remarked that he liked and respected Tendulkar partly because he remained unaffected by a level of fame in India that not even Australia's most marketable cricketers can fully comprehend.

Healy believes he will still be a force this summer, if not the force he once was.

Even the most patriotic Australians have rejoiced in his batting, and grimaced when he got a bad umpiring decision.

Now they have one more chance to see the batsman whose crushing back foot drives moved Hughes to his gruff compliment in Perth all those years ago.

They must hope there is something of that young boy left.

[dextrous]

"
Even the most patriotic Australians have rejoiced in his batting, and grimaced when he got a bad umpiring decision."

how do ppl come up with fluff lines like these?!

[Blwe_torch]

The Aussies are always very fond of Sachin!

[ganavk]

Thought of starting this new thread where we can post articles from Australian newspapers. We can continue to keep adding to this so that all of them are available in single thread. I guess if there is a prolonged discussion a new thread can be started. Just a suggestion obviously , I am not the moderator!
First one from Peter Roebuck writing in SMH.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/cricket/indians-find-plenty-of-fight/2007/12/09/1197135287070.html

Indians find plenty of fight
Peter Roebuck
December 10, 2007
Double trouble … India's Sourav Ganguly after scoring a double century against Pakistan.

Double trouble … India's Sourav Ganguly after scoring a double century against Pakistan.
Photo: AFP

INDIA have bared their fangs. Naturally, Anil Kumble and his players are currently concentrating on retaining their lead against a Pakistan side lacking penetration, but soon thoughts will turn to the forthcoming trip Down Under. Every player worth his paddlepops knows that Australia is the yardstick.

Other teams enter purple patches, but the Australians have retained their power. It is the most unforgiving of places to tour. Knowing the facilities will be excellent, the pitches firm and the opposition fierce, proper cricketers relish the challenge. Knowing there is nowhere to hide, ditherers blow up in Brisbane and never recover.

Although concerned about the glut of injuries suffered by his pace bowlers and latterly his champion batsman, Kumble must be pleased with the progress made by his coachless side. Much can be told about a team by its response to trouble. On the first day of the current Test, and after choosing to bat on a morning thick with dew, the Indians sank to 4-61. Sachin Tendulkar has been forced to stand down with a hurt leg and Mahendra Dhoni had also withdrawn, so the position was perilous. Pakistan were pressing in the persons of Shoaib Akhtar, a bowler every coach has liked in his first few months, and Yasir Arafat.

India's fortunes had fallen into the hands of a supposedly clapped out old professional and a hard-hitting batsman whose footwork was regarded as too cumbersome for this form of the game. Calamity waited around the corner. Another wicket and the game was up. But Sourav Ganguly and Yuvraj Singh were not deterred. To the contrary, they counterattacked so thrillingly that India roared to stumps at 5-365. To his dismay, Yuvraj lost his wicket in the dying moments, caught at deep cover as he aimed elsewhere. Ganguly remained and next day passed 200 as India swept past 500.

By all accounts, Yuvraj was majestic. Cast as a swiper but bearing a fine record against Pakistan, patronised as a glamorous type better suited to nocturnal than cricketing hotspots and liberated by his position at six in the order, he changed the course of the match with the sort of rumbustious counterattack often produced in the critical hour by such distinguished predecessors as Garfield Sobers and Doug Walters.

In a few dynamic hours at the crease Yuvraj convinced sceptics and perhaps even himself that he has a part to play as a Test batsman. Realising that a double century had been within his grasp, he cursed himself as he departed, but players of this sort walk a tightrope between daring and folly. His rousing effort complicates selection and dashes Virender Sehwag's slender hopes of a recall. Yuvraj was replacing India's greatest batsman. Who now makes way for Tendulkar? The entire middle-order has been scoring heavily.

Ganguly's revival has been fascinating. Always he has been respected as a fighter. His hundred as captain at the Gabba four years ago proved that the fragile veneer is misleading. The Bengali is a robust cricketer with a mischievous streak and an independent mind. At times he can appear haughty and his fielding remains lacklustre but he is fearless and fitter than before. Evidently he was not ready to be put out to pasture. He has scored two hundreds in his past two matches and has been timing the ball sweetly.

Evidently, Ganguly learnt a lot from his period on the outer. At such times a man must confront himself and his game. It is no use blaming anyone else. Cricketers who score runs, take wickets and field smartly are not dropped. Perhaps he had become cosy, always a danger for an established player. And once the slide begins it's the devil's own work to stop it. He returned to domestic cricket and forced his way back into the team. Ganguly has also been bowling tidily, and sober witnesses swear that his fielding has improved.

Doubtless the departure of the previous coach has helped. Ganguly and Greg Chappell had different outlooks on life and never the twain shall meet. Ganguly is a player's man in the guise of an autocrat. Chappell focused on ideas and execution and needed fresh minds to work with as a painter needs a clean canvas. Kumble's appointment has also eased the pressure because the lofty leg spinner was never a rival. Nor will he find the new coach, Gary Kirsten, a trial or tribulation. Indeed, the current leadership is well placed to ignite fires that have been burning low.

The reservation about India's heavy scoring has been the nature of the pitches. By all accounts, the surfaces prepared for this series have been about as menacing as a string quartet. Back-foot games have escaped examination and the ball has hardly left the straight and narrow. To make matters worse, the Indians have given themselves only a few days to adjust to Australian tracks. But, then, the MCG has lost its sting and the SCG has been mild. Thanks to their delayed arrival, the Indians enjoy the luxury of opening their account in these centres. It might be just as well.

[Blwe_torch]

Ganguly is a player's man in the guise of an autocrat.

Thats an apt observation. Hmmm.....SG is forcing out the good words from unlikely reporters.

[LosingNow]

http://cricket.indiatimes.com/News/News/Seven_batsmen_five_pacers_likely_for_Oz/articleshow/2612556.cms

Seven batsmen, five pacers likely for Oz

 NEW DELHI, December 10:  With just a day left for the selection of the Indian team for the four-Test series Down Under, the selection committee is busy trying to find the right combination for the taxing assignment. They will pick a 16-member squad on Wednesday out of the 24 probables selected last week. And if sources in the selection committee are to be believed, the five wise men are looking at a combination of seven batsmen, five medium-pacers, two spinners and two wicketkeepers.

The certainties in the batsmen’s list are Wasim Jaffer, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman and Yuvraj Singh. According to sources, one slot is open for another opener. Here, by virtue of his good show in the recent One-day Internationals, Twenty20 games and in Ranji Trophy matches for Delhi, Gautam Gambhir is ahead of statemate Aakash Chopra in the race. The third opening batsman in the squad could be the man who will be picked as the second wicketkeeper.

MS Dhoni is, of course, the first choice as gloveman. The second wicketkeeper will be picked between Dinesh Karthick and Parthiv Patel. Incidentally, both have tried to establish themselves as openers. As per sources, Pathiv has a slight edge over Karthik right now.

"Parthiv has been scoring heavily in the domestic cricket and he has the experience of playing in Australia. He is certainly in the race. Since we are looking at an option of seven batsmen and two wicketkeepers, the second wicketkeeper has to be the third opener," a selector, who didn’t wish to be named, told TOI on Monday.

On the pace front, Zaheer Khan, RP Singh and Irfan Pathan are sure names. For the two vacant slots, four bowlers — Ishant Sharma, VRV Singh, Munaf Patel and Ajit Agarkar — are in contention. But the selectors are non-committal on who will make the cut. Their decision will also hinge on the physio’s report on the pacers’ fitness which will be submitted on Wednesday morning.

"Australian wickets are traditionally well suited for the fast bowlers and since the tour will be a hectic one, we are keen to pick fit bowlers who can sustain themselves all through the series," another selector said.

When pressed to name those who have the best chance of making it, the selector declined to reveal anything. He only said: "How can we say right now? It’s too early to talk about it. All of us need to sit together and then work out the best combination. But as far as the fast bowlers are concerned, fitness will be an important component. Match fitness being a key area, we are going to consider performances in the ongoing Ranji matches as well."

According to sources, with skipper Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh manning the spin department, selection of a third spinner is ruled out for the tour.

[keep-it-cool]

On the pace front, Zaheer Khan, RP Singh and Irfan Pathan are sure names. For the two vacant slots, four bowlers — Ishant Sharma, VRV Singh, Munaf Patel and Ajit Agarkar — are in contention.

So, is SS definitely ruled out??

And, no Bose??

[broadbat]

"How can we say right now? It’s too early to talk about it

Priceless
Just one day before team selection and its too early!

[keep-it-cool]

we are going to consider performances in the ongoing Ranji matches as well."

How?? No one bothered to go to the Mumbai v/s Rajasthan match ... where one of the probables - Pankaj Singh was playing.

DBV was in Bangalore, Bhupi was watching the Mah v/s Delhi match .. wonder which matches the others were watching. I would imagine that one of them should have gone to the Bengal v/s Orissa match .. but, dont count on it.

[LosingNow]

we are going to consider performances in the ongoing Ranji matches as well."

How?? No one bothered to go to the Mumbai v/s Rajasthan match ... where one of the probables - Pankaj Singh was playing.

DBV was in Bangalore, Bhupi was watching the Mah v/s Delhi match .. wonder which matches the others were watching. I would imagine that one of them should have gone to the Bengal v/s Orissa match .. but, dont count on it.

Arre bhai.. bol diya.. iska matlab yeh thodi hai, ki kar bhi denge!

[Libran]

Waugh fancies India's chances Down Under
Melbourne: Former Australian captain Steve Waugh feels a favourable schedule can work to India's advantage when they tour Down Under for the four-Test series starting later this month.

Waugh said India has a "pretty good" programme with two of the Tests at spin-friendly venues in Adelaide and Sydney.

"They have got a pretty good draw really," Waugh said.

"I think there is some hope (of an Indian victory) because they are playing at two spinner-friendly venues, Adelaide and Sydney. They will have three good spinners in their squad and that will give them the chance to take 20 wickets," the World-Cup winning captain was quoted as saying by Herald Sun.

"It seems in the past decade in Australia they haven't been able to take 20 wickets. It doesn't matter how many good batters they have got, they can't win a Test unless they can take 20 wickets," Waugh said.

"They have to pick a team capable of taking 20 wickets otherwise they'll get thrashed" he opined.

"It really depends on how the bowlers go. I think their batters have got enough experience to get them runs. If they bring an attack capable of taking wickets they are a chance," he said.

http://www.cricketnext.com/news/india-have-a-good-chance-opines-waugh/28274-13.html

[LosingNow]

Good one by Sharda Ugra of India Today..
--
Tip - CI Blogs

http://indiatoday.digitaltoday.in/index.php?option=com_myblog&show=The-voices-of-spring.html&Itemid=&main_category=Free%20Hit&main_category=Free%20Hit

Posted on December 10, 2007

You could have set the clock to it. Just around the time India's cricketers are calling home and asking wives, mothers and other responsible parties to locate their passports, Australia, rather parts of its press-pack, have, in a stirring show of loyalty, already opened the bowling.

A headline early last week set the tone: "Indian money threatens Aussie team". It referred to Cricket Australia(CA)'s peeved letter to its players inquiring about their MOUs with the Indian Premier League despite being under contract to CA. Er... isn't "Buck-chasing threatens Aussie team" a more accurate headline?

But hey, come on, the Indian team is going to be touring Australia soon, let's identify the enemy here, shall we? Paint the target nice and big.

Even before the Australian coach has presented his blueprint for annhilation, a section of the press inevitably, but mystifyingly (journalists usually prefer skepticism over cheerleading), steps up to show off its Baggy Green badges.

The day Sachin Tendulkar was ruled out of the Bangalore Test, came another worthy crow: "It's official: India are unfit." (Call that journalism, mate? That's not a story. A story is something people don't already know).

Anyway, this ‘story', smartly linking Robin Singh's leaked fielding report and the recurrence of a knee-injury to Tendulkar, began: "Indian teams have traditionally struggled to get through the rigours of an Australian tour without falling victim to injuries and fatigue...". See, not letting facts get in the way, either. The last time India toured Australia, they were so injured and fatigued (not to mention scared, afraid to play shots and fast bowling) that they finished the series 1-1 and nearly spoilt Steve Waugh's drawn-out, self-indulgent and self-imposed farewell party.

But this is just the drum roll. Bishen Bedi's already been sought out to express his reservations about Harbhajan Singh's action. Any time now, there should be something out on that other Aussie favourite, Sourav Ganguly, that convenient myth about how he comes from a royal family and so he doesn't carry the can... no, no sorry, that was the kit bag... or maybe, the drinks tray?

Soon some Aussie fast bowler, perhaps Shaun Tait or Mitchell Johnson, will name his "target". Matthew Hayden will choose to be loquacious about Indian failings or the ‘superstar' phenomenon which means they-don't-play-like-a-team. Andrew Symonds will resume his principled opposition to Porsches being given to just about anyone. A few former Aussie players will weigh in with astute socio-cultural observations.

Then, and only then, will the Indian tour be ready to begin.

Make no mistake, Australia is a lovely country. The natives are friendly. They know how to stage cricket matches. They even know how to play the game. Nobody has taken cricket to where Australia has, which would be stratospheric. Hell, nobody has taken cricket memorabilia to where they have. (Which would lie somewhere between the realms of opportunistic and tacky).

It's just that this--the weeks before a tour of Australia--is such a nostalgic time, it can make you all dewy-eyed. It has become such a part of the Australian touring experience, it's a mystery that Channel9 has no memorabilia around it. It is almost like the first stirrings of spring. When the first waves of hot air and echoes of ritual chest-thumping reach distant shores. When the designated trumpet-masters for the Australian team observe a time-honoured tradition. To present all visiting cricketers as worthless, gutless, talentless and technically and mentally inadequate.

It's a wonder that when touring teams first land in Australia, they are not met by large crowds at Sydney's Kingsford Smith International demanding they go home.

[broadbat]

To present all visiting cricketers as worthless, gutless, talentless and technically and mentally inadequate

Unfortunately not many touring sides manage to dispel that notion when they leave.